How To Get The Madrid To Seville Train (An Insider's Guide)

Planning to get the Madrid to Seville train? This transport guide includes exactly how to get from Madrid to Seville by train and other essential information.

Spain is well-connected by public transport compared to other countries, so you don’t always need to rent a car to travel between cities. Public transport is usually affordable and efficient.

If you travel to Spain from the US, you probably fly to Madrid-Barajas Airport, and once in Madrid, you can head to other destinations like Seville. This also happens with other countries, or maybe you just want to start your trip in Spain’s capital.

If you’re wondering how to travel from Madrid to Seville by train, how much it is and if it’s better than taking a plane or driving, I’ll answer your questions in this blog.

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Table of Contents

Madrid to Seville Train information

Madrid to Seville train schedule

Screens with departure times and platforms at Atocha train station, Madrid.

The train journey from Madrid to Seville is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, but there are trains that take a little longer.

A pro of taking the train from Madrid to Seville is that there are direct trains, so you don’t need to worry about changing trains at different stations. Renfe AVE, Alvia, AVLO or Iryo are the train companies that offer direct trains.

If you wonder how often trains run, there are approximately eight trains that go from Madrid Atocha train station to Santa Justa station most days. However, weekends and bank holidays are slightly different.

Most departures occur during the morning, but you can also find afternoon and early evening times. The first train leaves the station at 6:35 am, and the last train leaves at about 8 pm.

Madrid to Seville train tickets

Cristina walking towards the train in Atocha Station, Madrid.

Travelling to Seville from Madrid by train is straightforward and doesn’t need to be expensive. My advice for booking your train is to do it in advance and book it as soon as you arrange your flights and accommodation, as this will save you money.

Another key thing to consider when booking the train is the peak hours. Travelling outside these hours is always cheaper. On average, tickets are 36€ (31 GBP), but as I said, you can find cheaper tickets when booking in advance. They will be more expensive during the holidays.

One of my favourite apps for booking trains and buses is Omio. The app is easy to use, and you can find great deals when looking for tickets in advance. I also love the fact that you don’t need to print off your tickets; you just save them to your Apple Wallet.

🚆 Book your train tickets to Seville with Omio

How to get to Madrid Atocha Train Station

A street view of Atocha train station in Madrid, Spain.

If you stay in Madrid city centre for a couple of days before heading to Seville, getting to Madrid Atocha Train Station is easy.

You can take the underground from Puerta del Sol to Palos de la Frontera and walk for 5 minutes. I wouldn’t recommend taking a taxi because the traffic isn’t great in the city centre.

If you plan to travel directly from the airport to Atocha train station, it’s better to take a taxi, as it’s much quicker than public transportation. However, if you decide to take public transport, you can take the train to Delicias train station from Terminal 4 and then walk about 10 minutes to Atocha.

How to move around Madrid Atocha Train Station

Almudena Gardens in Atocha train station, Madrid.

Madrid Atocha train station is much bigger than other stations in Spain; it’s in fact two train stations in one (the old and the new station), so it’s a good idea to quickly familiarise yourself with it and make sure you’re in the right place to take the Madrid to Seville train.

I recommend going to the station at least an hour before your journey so you can visit its beautiful indoor garden, called Alameda Gardens, which has beautiful plants and small animals like fish and turtles, and grab a coffee.

It’s also worth mentioning the toilets. You can access “premium toilets” by paying a euro. These aren’t the average toilets because you can find showers, a spacious baby changing room, a potable fountain where you can refill your bottle, and more.

Another great thing about the station is that there’s luggage storage, so if you have plenty of time before your train leaves and would love to explore the surroundings, you can drop your luggage there.

Facilities on the Madrid to Seville train

Spacious seats at the Madrid to Seville train.

Is travelling on the Madrid to Seville train comfortable?

AVE trains have comfortable seats, tray tables and power sockets, allowing you to work as you travel or keep yourself entertained by watching your favourite series or a film.

I also love that there’s plenty of space to put your luggage. You can bring up to 3 pieces of luggage; just keep the size and weight allowance in mind.

The trains have toilets, which are regularly cleaned, and you can also order food and drinks at their cafe or get a snack from the comfort of your seat with the mobile bar service.

If you purchase certain train tickets, such as the Elige or Premium tickets, you can also enjoy a hot full meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at no extra charge, as food is included with your train tickets.

Santa Justa Station

Santa Justa train station is pretty close to the centre of Seville. Once you arrive at Santa Justa, you can walk, take the bus or a taxi to get to your accommodation.

I would only walk if your luggage isn’t too big and heavy and your accommodation is about 15 minutes from the station.

Otherwise, my second option is to use Uber. I used Uber a couple of times when I travelled with a friend to Seville, and it was fairly cheap.

What about the bus? Well, it’s an option, but depending on where your accommodation is, you need to figure out which bus number is best for you. Plus, you’ll still need to walk.

Last but not least, you can rent a car. There are several rental car companies in Santa Justa train station, although I prefer to rent it in advance via Discover Cars.

To be honest, you don’t need a car to move around Seville. The traffic can be chaotic in the city centre, and it’s simply not worth it. Renting a car is a good idea if you want to go on day trips from Seville or start an Andalusian road trip.

🚗 Check out Discover Cars to rent a car in Seville

Is it worth travelling from Madrid to Seville by train?

Yes, taking the train to Seville from Madrid is easy, affordable and comfortable. While you travel by train, you can also see the beautiful Spanish countryside, so it’s a nice train ride.

Unmissable things to do in Seville

A photo of one of the courtyads in alcazar of seville, spain.

Whether you’re spending two or four days in Seville, there are some attractions you don’t want to miss.

Visit Plaza de España. It’s the most beautiful square in Spain. Its architecture, atmosphere and setting, next to the Maria Luisa Park, make this place special. Watch street flamenco singers and dancers, take photos at the tiled benches representing different Spanish cities and explore the park.
Go to Catedral de Sevilla. Seville Cathedral is one of the oldest cathedrals in Spain. Its interior is worth admiring, and once you’ve visited it, you can climb La Giralda Tower, which offers panoramic city views.
Eat tapas. If you’re a foodie, eating traditional tapas in Seville is a must. My favourite tapa is garbanzos con espinacas (Chickpeas with Spinach), especially when my grandma, who is from Seville, makes it. Other local tapas include snails, oxtail stew and gazpacho.
Discover the Alcázar de Sevilla. If there’s one palace that needs to be on your list, it’s the Alcazar. This palace is a gem. You can learn about Mudejar’s architectural style, walk in its spacious gardens, and immerse yourself in history. Although you can visit it at your own pace, you can also take a guided tour like the ones below.

Frequently asked questions about the Madrid to Seville train

Is it better to fly or take a train from Madrid to Seville?

It’s better to take a train because they’re cheaper and less hassle than flying. Although the plane takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, you must be at the airport way before your flight and then travel from the airport to Seville.

Is there a night train from Madrid to Seville?

No, the latest train leaves at about 8 pm.

Are pets allowed in AVE trains?

Yes, small pets are allowed. The restriction is one pet per person.

Is Seville worth a day trip from Madrid?

My answer is no. The average train journey is 3 hours one way, and although you can see some of Seville’s main attractions in one day, one day in Seville isn’t enough. Toledo and Segovia are more reasonable day trips from Madrid.

Conclusion on getting the Madrid-Seville train

The journey from Madrid Atocha to Seville Santa Justa train station is fast and comfortable. Remember to look for train tickets in advance to get the best value. I always use Omio to find cheap train tickets.

Do you have any questions about travelling to Seville? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to answer them. Alternatively, if you need help planning your trip to Spain, check out my custom itinerary services.

Enjoy your trip to Seville!

Cristina x

Top things to check before visiting Seville

Check cheap flights to Spain with Skyscanner.
Discover all the amazing activities you can do in Seville with Get Your Guide.
Enjoy a free walking tour in Seville with Guruwalk.
Have a look at this Andalusian food guide to indulge yourself in eating the best typical food in the area.
Are you looking for the best accommodation in Seville? Book your accommodation with Booking.com
Book travel insurance for your trip. This is a must for any trip!

How to Get the Madrid to Seville Train (An Insider’s Guide)